What do a schooner cruise, a commissioned portrait of your home, a weekend in Bayside, a mixology lesson, and private theatre showing all have in common? These experiences (and thirty some odd more) are all available to the highest bidder at the Our Town Belfast Auction and Gala, on June 27th at the Belfast Boathouse.

“Our annual auction is such a perfect mate to our mission: it celebrates the best that Belfast has to offer and honors the authentic experience of living, working, and playing in this community,” says Our Town Belfast executive director, Breanna Pinkham Bebb. “Be the highest bidder on a handful of items and you’ll have the perfect Belfast summer ready to go.”

Summer fun really is on the Our Town auction list with items like ice cream parties for ten, a 2 hour cruise with Front Street Shipyard president J.B. Turner on “Rubba Dubba,” a pairings class at Cellar Door Winery, flower picking at Chase’s Daily’s farm, a day on a lobster boat, and more.

“And if the opportunity to win unique Belfast experiences isn’t enough to get you through the door, hopefully the refreshments will be,” adds vice board chair Chris Bitely. “And by refreshments, I mean Marshall Wharf beer.”

Indeed, Marshall Wharf Brewing Company and Trillium Caterers are teaming up to offer craft brews and hors d’oeuvres throughout the evening. Admission is only ten dollars at the door, which includes refreshments, bidding paddle, and live music during the silent auction and gala. Clayton Clemetson, deemed Belfast’s “barefoot pianist,” will entertain guests with original keyboard compositions. When the live auction kicks off at 7:30pm, city councilor and known showman Eric Sanders will take the podium as auctioneer.

Auction chair and Our Town board president Marjie Byers says “Eric’s sense of humor definitely amps up the fun factor of our auction.”

“I define the event, really,” jokes auctioneer Eric Sanders. “Yes, there are a lot of unique things we auction off, and for a very good cause, but I like to think I am the ‘Maine’ attraction.”

The auction oddities don’t begin and end with Mr. Sanders. Those who have seen the event posters may have noticed that they feature an illustration of a chicken wearing pearls. Breanna Pinkham Bebb explains: “We are encouraging folks to dress fancy this year - and whatever your Belfast interpretation of fancy is is fine by us! Pull on your nicest old Carhartts or your biggest string of pearls. We all work hard and don’t get a lot of opportunities to put on the ritz. “

Dress up, drink up, bid high and bid often. Supporting the Our Town Belfast Auction and Gala is not only an excellent way to spend a Friday night - it’s a great way to show your love of the Belfast community. Our Town’s mission is to grow and strengthen downtown Belfast – preserving its historic buildings and supporting the businesses and activities that take place in them. If you love programs like the “Please Be Seated” benches and the annual Belfast Street Party, if you appreciate the sidewalk plantings in the summer and holiday wreaths and lights come winter, then join Our Town Belfast for its auction event on June 27th. Silent auction and gala begins at 6:30pm, with the live auction at 7:30.

A full list of available items and experiences can be found at ourtownbelfast.org and one may RSVP to the event on Facebook.

This event is proudly sponsored by Front Street Shipyard, Penobscot Bay Pilot, and the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call (207)323-9100 or email bre@ourtownbelfast.org.